The Leonid meteor shower, which sees fast, bright meteors associated with Comet Tempel-Tuttle, is set to peak tonight as the comet follows its path around the sun.

Despite widespread light pollution there are a number of fantastic places to spot the meteor shower across the UK, with 24 of them right here in the North West.

By travelling only a few miles away from light-polluted towns and cities wonderful views of the skies can be revealed.

Our first port of call would of course be the nearby Forest Of Bowland Area Of Natural Beauty, where from Slaidburn's Dark Sky Discovery Site and Gisburn's Forest Hub you might be able to catch a glimpse of the comet's debris as it enters our planet’s atmosphere at speeds of up to 70 kilometres per second.

But you could also head to The Astronomy Centre, on Bacup Road, near Todmorden.

Other good places to spot Leonid, which takes its name from the constellation Leo the Lion are as follows:

 

  • Alston Observatory, Alston Lane, Preston, PR3 3BP
  • Beacon Fell Visitor Centre, Beacon Fell, Preston, PR3 2NL
  • Blea Tarn Car Park – Lake District, Little Langdale, Ambleside, LA22 9PG
  • Bowness Knott Car Park – Lake District, Croasdale, Ennerdale Bridge, CA23 3AU
  • Caton Moor Windfarm, Caton, Lancaster, LA2 9HF
  • Crummock Water Car Park – Lake District, B5289 North of Buttermere, Cockermouth, CA13 9XA
  • Delamere Forest Park – Forestry Commission, Linmere, Northwich, CW8 2JD
  • Gisburn Forest Hub, Gisburn Forest, Near Tosside, BB7
  • Godlee Observatory, Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3NL
  • Grizedale Forest, Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre, Grizedale, LA22 0QJ
  • Hesketh Park Observatory, Hesketh Park, Southport, PR9 9LN
  • High Legh Community Observatory, Abbey Leys Farm, High Legh, WA16 6NS
  • Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory – Moor Park, Blackpool Road, Preston, PR2 3AE
  • Jodrell Bank Observatory, University of Manchester, Macclesfield, SK11 9DL
  • Leighton Observatory, Pex Hill Visitors Centre, Widnes, WA8 5QW
  • Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre, Ennerdale, Cleator, CA23 3AX
  • Pilling Embankment, Fluke Hall Lane, Pilling, PR3 6HP
  • Salford Observatory, Chaseley Road, Chasely Fields, M6 7DZ
  • Slaidburn Visitor Car Park, Slaidburn, Clitheroe, BB7 3ES
  • Talkin Tarn Country Park, Farlam, Brampton, CA8 1HN
  • The Astronomy Centre, Bacup Road A681, Near Todmorden, Lancashire, OL14 7HP
  • Trinity School Observatory, Strand Road, Carlisle, CA1 1JB
  • Wasdale Head Car Park – Lake District, Wasdale, Santon Bridge, CA20 1EX
  • Whinlatter Forest Park – Forestry Commission, Braithwaite, Keswick, CA12 5TW

Other than getting to know the stars, spending time outside can also have a significant impact on your health and wellbeing.

Wellbeing expert and Co-Founder of Everyday Juice Limited, Gary Butterfield, said: “Being surrounded by nature is proven to lift your mood, reduce stress or anger, and to help you relax.

"This is of course extremely beneficial to an individual's mental health.

“Social connection is incredibly important to our wellbeing, and by exploring your immediate surroundings you can foster a greater connection to the place that you call home and discover local areas of interest that you never even knew about. 

“The beauty of this time of year is that it now gets dark earlier, so activities like stargazing have become more accessible.

"For me, looking up at the stars allows me the opportunity to reflect on the world and my place in it, because after all, there’s nothing more sobering than seeing just how big the universe really is.

"In addition, I like spending time under the stars because it fosters greater creativity, relieves stress and anxiety, and on a clear night it’s always exciting.” 

But when should you get out to see the stars?

The best time to go stargazing is in the days before, during and soon after a new moon.

Nights when there is no bright moon at night and when the sun sets enough so that twilight does not affect observations present the best conditions.

To catch the best sights, Brits should head out around the remaining two new moons of 2020 November 15 and December 14. 

To find out more about the study as well as your nearest stargazing spots, visit: https://www.ukcaravans4hire.com/blog/stargazing-in-the-uk